Paynes Creek Historic State Park

Ecosystem Overview

The Paynes Creek Historic State Park ecosystem supports 51 documented wildlife species across 49 taxonomic genera. Located in Hardee County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 11 frequently observed species and 10 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Hardee County nearby has 31% more documented species, Paynes Creek Historic State Park offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #9 for species diversity among 41 Hardee County County natural areas, placing it in the 78th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 41 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 41 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Hardee County

-31% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 51 total documented species.

Alligator mississippiensis

Gator

Very Common2.01 obs.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweet Gum

Very Common1.81 obs.

Dione vanillae

Gulf Fritillary

Very Common1.77 obs.

Baeolophus bicolor

Tufted Titmouse

Very Common1.68 obs.

Poecilia latipinna

Sailfin Molly

Very Common1.55 obs.

Pistia stratiotes

Water Lettuce

Common1.42 obs.

Campsis radicans

Trumpetvine

Common1.38 obs.

Anaxyrus terrestris

Southern Toad

Common1.35 obs.

Carya aquatica

Water Hickory

Common1.1 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Common1.01 obs.

Mansonia titillans

Common1 obs.

Salix caroliniana

Carolina Willow

Occasional1 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Brown Anole

Occasional1 obs.

Vaccinium arboreum

Farkleberry

Occasional1 obs.

Diachlorus ferrugatus

Occasional1 obs.

Columbina passerina

Ground Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Sericocarpus tortifolius

Dixie Aster

Occasional1 obs.

Osteopilus septentrionalis

Cuban Treefrog

Rare1 obs.

Schistocerca americana

American Bird Locust

Rare1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

Osprey

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 51 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Paynes Creek Historic State Park. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+19%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hardee County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Hardee County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-31% vs. current

Bowling Green

Importance: 0.70

51 species

0% vs. current

Wauchula

Importance: 0.70

28 species

+82% vs. current

Zolfo Springs

Importance: 0.70

11 species

+364% vs. current

Wauchula Hills

Importance: 0.50

50 species

+2% vs. current

Torrey

Importance: 0.50

49 species

+4% vs. current

Bowling Green

Importance: 0.50

49 species

+4% vs. current

Crewsville

Importance: 0.50

30 species

+70% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Hardee County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+19%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hardee County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Hardee County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-31% vs. current

Bowling Green

Importance: 0.70

51 species

0% vs. current

Wauchula

Importance: 0.70

28 species

+82% vs. current

Zolfo Springs

Importance: 0.70

11 species

+364% vs. current

Wauchula Hills

Importance: 0.50

50 species

+2% vs. current

Torrey

Importance: 0.50

49 species

+4% vs. current

Bowling Green

Importance: 0.50

49 species

+4% vs. current

Crewsville

Importance: 0.50

30 species

+70% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 51 total documented species.

Alligator mississippiensis

Gator

Very Common2.01 obs.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweet Gum

Very Common1.81 obs.

Dione vanillae

Gulf Fritillary

Very Common1.77 obs.

Baeolophus bicolor

Tufted Titmouse

Very Common1.68 obs.

Poecilia latipinna

Sailfin Molly

Very Common1.55 obs.

Pistia stratiotes

Water Lettuce

Common1.42 obs.

Campsis radicans

Trumpetvine

Common1.38 obs.

Anaxyrus terrestris

Southern Toad

Common1.35 obs.

Carya aquatica

Water Hickory

Common1.1 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Common1.01 obs.

Mansonia titillans

Common1 obs.

Salix caroliniana

Carolina Willow

Occasional1 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Brown Anole

Occasional1 obs.

Vaccinium arboreum

Farkleberry

Occasional1 obs.

Diachlorus ferrugatus

Occasional1 obs.

Columbina passerina

Ground Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Sericocarpus tortifolius

Dixie Aster

Occasional1 obs.

Osteopilus septentrionalis

Cuban Treefrog

Rare1 obs.

Schistocerca americana

American Bird Locust

Rare1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

Osprey

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 51 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 41 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 41 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Hardee County

-31% species diversity